Position summary:

The Lead, Human Rights and Social Impact engages with internal stakeholders across landscapes and functions, and with a full spectrum of external stakeholders from rights holders to global corporations and institutions, to build momentum on and realization of the organization’s human rights strategy.

In all aspects of the role, the Lead works to ensure sustained value creation and social impact for the producers and workers at the heart of the Rainforest Alliance’s mission; in line with the organization’s goals of people having improved economic well-being and respect for people’s fundamental labour and human rights.

Everything we do focuses on what serves our producers and achieving our mission, and our leaders develop teams who work across and beyond organizational boundaries to deliver excellence to our producers.  Identifying critical cross-departmental and external alliance growth opportunities as well as having the expertise and communication style to positively influence these successful collaborations is key to the success of this role.

This position directly supervises two staff members and is responsible for their professional development and performance management. The position will be committed to providing clear direction and to support the team in driving impact.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as thought leader internally, and spokespeople externally on Rainforest Alliance’s position on human rights;
• Represent the Rainforest Alliance in key coalitions and events to promote and showcase the organization’s leadership practices and innovations; represent the organization in advisory groups and other thought leadership spaces;
• Provide programmatic expertise into the design and implementation of Rainforest Alliance’s global programs (with key focus on our Certification Program and other key standards and frameworks) to drive impact at scale;
• Keep informed of emerging good practices and innovations in the field of human rights and labor rights in agriculture, forestry, food & beverage, and FMCG/CPG supply chains; see opportunities for Rainforest Alliance to apply, build upon and shape such practices;
• Build strategic collaborations and alliances with partners that enhance impact on producers and workers in the Rainforest Alliance’s target landscapes and sectors;
• Lead and contribute to innovations, capacity building tools and communications related to the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Certification Program including the standards, guidance documents, assurance systems, data and training, to ensure that it meets market needs and brings maximum value to producers and workers;
• Lead and contribute to human rights strategy and related product and program offerings beyond certification that meet market needs and provide maximum value to producers and workers;
• Provide human rights expertise into funding proposals for all of Rainforest Alliance’s revenue channels (companies, donors; individual philanthropy etc.), and support the fundraising and account management efforts for these as needed;
• Apply system and well-rounded thinking to human rights project and program development, so that programs and projects are strengthened through deep and current subject knowledge and inclusion of all subjects appropriate to the opportunity and purpose;
• Prioritize strategically and in an agile approach; ensure seamless, effective and service oriented processes for collaboration cross-functionally;
• Collaborate closely with Corporate Engagement and Partnerships, Data and Tech, Growth and Innovation, the regional departments and others as needed to achieve integrated Standards & Frameworks and Thriving Landscape offerings and support account management;
• Ensure organization wide learning on human rights is effective and inclusive;
• Work with Communications and advocacy colleagues to message the Rainforest Alliance’s strategy, advocacy position, social impact and manage risks;
• Manage two Senior Associates, Human Rights and Social Impact;
• Key competencies: Transformational leadership, innovation, adaptability, persuasion, critical and reflective thinking, public speaking, resourcefulness, relationship builder based on trust, empathy and openness, and strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a time sensitive manner.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Social Science, International Development, Human Rights or related disciplines.  Master’s degree in related topic desirable;
• Minimum 10 years professional (and field) experience in human rights related work, with experience in the global south, with at least 6 years of senior-leadership level experience;
• Experience in strategy development and practical implementation of human rights programs in global supply chains;
• Direct or indirect experience working on human rights issues in company supply chains;
• Knowledge of certification or social auditing programs;
• Experience or knowledge of sustainable production of at least one of Rainforest Alliance focus crops (cocoa, coffee, tea, banana) preferable;
• Experience in fundraising, including the design of complex proposals and projects, with bilateral or multilateral donor agencies and company partnerships;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities;
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals;
• Strong writing capacity including the ability to write for diverse audiences;
• Team-based orientation, but capable of excelling under minimal supervision;
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written. Additional languages, in particular Spanish and/or French, are an asset;
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time;
• Experience in public speaking and advocacy.